2024 Road Trip Round Up!

By Bob Tagert

 

Our Road Trip every January is a recap of the previous year. In 2024 we visited some new locations and returned to a few that we had previously visited and enjoyed.

Last year we started off with River Bluff Farm Bed and Breakfast in Quicksburg, Virginia. If any of you are like we are, we tend to lean towards the places that are off the beaten track. River Bluff certainly fits the bill. The B&B is very rustic but also has an air of elegance. The cabin is a legitimate log and timber structure located on 20 stunning acres and sits on a bluff about a hundred yards from the banks of the Shenandoah River. The view from the dining room is also a perk as you enjoy breakfast. River Bluff offers three guest

bedrooms each with a private bath. Shared spaces available to all of their guests include the main living room, the log cabin sitting area with fireplace, a dining area with a small kitchen, a half bath on the first floor and a cozy upstairs seating area. Outdoors, facing the riverside meadow and the river, you will find a large deck with a gas grill, tables and chairs as well as a covered porch accessible from the breezeway between the main room and the dining area. Frankly folks, it doesn’t get much better than this. How can you go wrong with comfortable accommodations and a river adventure wrapped up into one?

For our March Road Trip last year we ventured to Annapolis, Maryland one of our favorite destinations. Across Spa Creek from Annapolis is Eastport, or locally known as the Maritime Republic of Eastport. (long story, Google it). We have had a long relationship with Annapolis as it is part of our marketing area and the simple fact that I have a sailboat. Annapolis aka the “Sailing Capital of the World” is home to U.S. Naval Academy and the Annapolis Sailboat Show-the largest in-water boat show in the world. Annapolis has historical significance for many reasons. It is the state capital of Maryland and the country’s capital when the Treaty of Paris, ending the Revolutionary War, was signed there. The

main attraction in Annapolis is Ego Alley, the water way at the foot of town where many large yachts converge. There are also many nice restaurants located along the Alley. Two of our favorites are Middleton’s Tavern and McGarvey’s. Many years back I sailed into and tied up in Ego Alley…it is something else! While we were at McGarvey’s we booked a room for the night at the Scotlaur Inn B&B on Main Street. This is a small B&B above Chick & Ruth’s Diner on Main Street. Chick & Ruth’s has always been our go-to for breakfast on over-night stays. The room is perfect and reasonable in price.

Our Road Trip for April took us to the fabulous Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth, Delaware. A long time summer retreat for many Alexandrian’s, Rehoboth Beach is also a great getaway during the spring. It is less crowded, parking is free and occasionally you might catch some 60-70 degree sunny days. No matter the season, it is always a good time to go to the beach. When we were there last March, the temperature was in the mid-fifties but reached 70 degrees the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day. We arrived too early to check into the Plaza, so we went to Dewey Beach for a late lunch. We went to one of our favorites, Woody’s but the bar was packed so we grabbed a table at the enclosed front patio and

ordered a pound of steamed shrimp and shared the lobster roll. It was excellent. Our room at the Plaza was on the concierge Level, aka fourth floor. This is the top floor and is reserved for adults…a very nice touch especially during the summer. Our room was directly over the boardwalk and facing the ocean. It was a clear, cool day and the sun shone brightly. The boardwalk had a few folks out for a walk, a couple of bicycles and one person walking along the water where the waves gently rolled in. On the horizon we could see a large ship heading south. The sights and sounds brought back memories. The Boardwalk Plaza is a beautiful, full-service hotel. Their dining room is not only popular with the guests but also the locals…a sure sign of quality. Another luxury of the Plaza is the Grotto, a large heated indoor pool with water jets around the perimeter…a very large hot tub. This is where we enjoyed our last drink form the Pub.

Our Road Trip in May was a little different. We called our friend Dean Goldsmith, owner of See D C Today, and arranged a tour of the military museums and memorials in the D.C. area. Our first stop was the Korean War Memorial near the Lincoln Memorial. Here they had a platoon of statue soldiers marching in order from a cover of trees into the field.

Although this was a crowded Saturday in D.C., the crowds were quiet and respectful. This is impressive during the day but at night it is very moving. From here we walked the short distance to the Lincoln Memorial, a truly impressive building. Having grown up here I have visited this memorial many times over the years. From here we walked to the other side of the Reflecting Pool toward the Vietnam War Memorial. As I walked along the Reflecting Pool I could not help but recall Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech…”I Have a Dream”. The Vietnam Wall is truly a solemn place. Folks walk slower and talk in hushed tones. It is heartbreaking to realize how many names are etched into that Granite. Also, near the Wall is the “Three Servicemen Statue”. Nearby is the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. This memorial features three uniformed female nurses caring for a wounded male soldier. Each nurse is named for a Virtue: Charity tends to the soldier, Faith prays for him and Hope looks upward for inspiration. We then made the short drive down Constitution Avenue to 17th Street and the World War II Memorial. This is the newest of the War Memorials and was placed between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. From here we drove into Arlington and the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and the sculpture of Iwo Jima. Our final stop was the Air Force Memorial along I-395 and Arlington Cemetery.

In June of last year we decided to take a Road Trip locally south on Maryland Route 4 and visit some of the local destinations. The largest town you will encounter is Prince Frederick in Maryland. About a mile or so past Prince Frederick you will come to a small strip mall with a large Mr. Tire sign. At the south end you will find Jerry’s Place. Jerry’s is a family-owned seafood restaurant that has been in business over forty years. Excellent crab cakes. Closed Monday – Wednesday. About another mile down Route 4 is Broomes Island Road. After you make the turn you will come upon an Amish style pavilion on your right that is home to fruits and vegetables from Jake’s Produce and plants from Linda’s

greenhouse. The best place for fresh veggies. A little farther down the road you will come to the Gateway Restaurant. The Gateway is family owned and if you are lucky Sheila will be behind the bar assuring that everyone is having a good time. They have a varied menu specializing in local seafood and the prices are very reasonable. Heading on down Broomes Island Road make a left turn on Mackall Road and follow it to the entrance on the right of Jefferson Patterson Park. The land was donated to the state by Mary Marvin Patterson and is named in honor of her late husband. The 560-acre property has more than 70 identified archaeological sites offering glimpses into 9,000 years of documented human occupation. Making your way back to Route 4 and continuing south you will come to the turn off for Cove Point Lighthouse. The light keepers house was converted into a duplex in 1881 and is available for rental since the light was fully automated in 1986. On the way back on Route 4 make a stop at Perigeaux Vineyard and Winery. A perfect ending to your day.

With the heat of summer upon us we decided to take our July Road Trip to Breezy Point and the Twin Beaches in Calvert County. Once again, we took Route 4 south to the turn off at Bayside Road to Breezy Point. It may not be the Atlantic Ocean but it is certainly worth the shorter drive. Breezy Point is a private enclosure and visitors pay a small fee to enjoy the white sand and the welcoming shade trees. The half mile of sandy beach has a 200-foot fishing and crabbing pier. Stepping into the beautiful blue Chesapeake Bay you are

protected by a netted swimming area. In the summer the jelly fish can become a problem. Leaving Breezy Point, we turned right on Bayside Road for the 20-minute drive to Chesapeake Beach and her twin, North Beach. The major draw of Chesapeake Beach is the famous Rod’N’Reel Restaurant. There is also a railway museum that showcases the rail transportation from Washington, D.C. to Chesapeake Beach. North Beach does have a gated beach area that is also netted. There are plenty of restaurants and shops at both beaches to explore.

Our August Road Trip took us back to the mountains of southwestern Virginia to Lydia Mountain Lodge off of Route 29 near Stanardsville, Virginia. The Lodge sits at the very top of the mountain with spectacular views to the valley below. As we drove up the mountain we noticed individual log cabins. These were the first buildings constructed and the Lodge was added in 2019. The cabins have fun themes as well and there are ones that are perfect for couples, groups or families. The cabins don’t have the view that the Lodge does as they are nestled in among the trees. The two-story Lodge is beautiful with themed guest rooms ranging from “The Old Wash House” to the “Southern Belle”. After checking all

those that were available for our two-night stay, Lani chose the “Hollywood Suite”. It was on the second floor which gave us a beautiful view of the valley from our deck. I can’t tell you enough about the detail in this room. Lots of Marylin Monroe (reason Lani chose it) paraphernalia. There wasn’t a place in the suite that wasn’t staged with every detail. There are hiking trails through the mountain and also golf carts that you can rent for the day. There is disc golf and corn hole to keep you active. You can also arrange spa services at the Lodge. The Lodge also has its own restaurant, the Bear Apetit! On our second day we visited a couple of the good wineries in the area. Some of Virginia’s best wineries are within a half hours drive. On the drive home we took a different route and stopped in at another of our favorite destinations, Sperryville.

For our September Road Trip we stayed close to home and went to Fells Point, in Baltimore. Like our home town of Alexandria, which was founded by Scotsman John Alexandria, Fells Point has its own story. Fells Point begins with the tale of two brothers: Edward Fell who first landed near “Baltimore Town” in 1726, and his brother, William Fell, who followed shortly thereafter in 1730. The brothers arrived in a time marked by speculative land sales, where large areas of land were divided and sold to settlers and investors. They

acquired 3,000 acres which is now Fells Point. With the deep water Patapsco River and the close approximation to the Chesapeake Bay, and access to large tracts of timber, the land was ideal for shipbuilding. The riches of the Fell family were eventually passed on the William’s only son, also named Edward (after Willliam’s brother). Young Edward and his wife Ann Bond Fell, developed the land in 1761, creating a grid of streets and selling sub-divided plots along them to the general public. The street names were largely inspired by two common themes: family and British heritage. Many of these streets still have their original names, including Ann Street, Bond Street, Fell Street,Thames Street and Shakespeare Street. Just like the old warehouses of Alexandria, the buildings of Fells Point today house restaurants, shops, and pubs. Exploring Fells Point is like exploring Alexandria.

Our October Road Trip took us to Culpeper, Virginia. As we expanded the distribution of the Old Town Crier into the Blue Ridge, Culpeper was a perfect distribution. Over the years we got to know many of the merchants as well as other places of interest. The town was founded in 1749 and soon became the hub of the region. The train station and the railway became an important feature of the town as well as a key target of both the Confederate and Union forces in the Civil War. Today the Amtrak trains run north and south with stops in Culpeper as well as Alexandria and Washington, D.C. The train is an excellent way to visit Culpeper for a day. However, if you wanted to stay overnight, the Fountain

Hall B&B is a short walk from the station. Some of the stores we knew years ago are gone but a lot still remain. The stores that make up the town of Culpeper have a lot to offer. Many are unique boutiques and specialty stores. It is a great place for lunch or dinner as well with excellent restaurants. The south side of town is where you will find the small shop owners while the larger stores and big box stores are on the north side of town. Right outside of town we visited the Belmont Farm Distillery. Belmont Farm has chosen to preserve a national tradition of copper pot still whiskey. Belmont Farm was also chosen as one of the top three moonshine providers in the country and made the list of awesome places to visit in Virginia. We also visited Old House Vineyards where we found out owner Patrick Kearney has also added a distillery and brewery. Culpeper is an excellent destination for the day or a two day stay.

Our November Road Trip took us to Sussex County in Southern Delaware and the Nanticoke Heritage Byway as well as the towns of Seaford, Laurel, Lewes and Milton. Some of you Rehoboth Beach goers will realize you pass right through these towns heading to the Atlantic Ocean. The Byway, which includes the beautiful Nanticoke River, moves through an area that is rich in the history of transportation and economic interests in the region. Although the western Sussex County landscape may at first seem to be a quiet and subdued rural area with small towns, it encompasses many of Delaware’s historic treasures and important natural features. Visually, the route alternates between farmlands, wooded areas, and small towns, providing a variety of views and different types of landscapes. There are many recreational opportunities for hiking, bicycling, boating and other activities. Phillips Landing Recreation Area is located near the confluence of the Nanticoke River and Broad Creek. In May of 2007 a monument was placed at Phillips Landing to commemorate

Captain John Smith’s exploration of the river and his meeting with the Nanticoke Chiefs. Phillips Landing is best known for bass fishing, bird watching, and a beautiful view of the wild rice beds across the river. The adjacent Nanticoke Wildlife Area conserves landscapes that appear much as they did 400 years ago. Further up Broad Creek, a tributary of the Nanticoke, is the well-preserved community of Bethel. Wooden sailing vessels were constructed by Bethel’s skilled ship carpenters until the early 20th century. The most significant class of Bethel craft were the Chesapeake sailing rams, which originated from this Broad Creek port. One of the truly beautiful areas of Sussex County is Trap Pond State Park. Located near Laurel, Trap Pond is the largest surviving fragment of what was once an extensive wetland in what is now southwestern Sussex County. The state park features an extensive patch of bald cypress trees.

December took us to Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, Virginia. Many of you faithful “Road Trip” readers might remember when we featured our summertime excursion to this fabulous place two years ago. Mountain Lake Lodge is located in the southwest mountains of Virginia in Pembroke, VA. We were invited to the opening of this year’s ‘Magical Christmas Village & Marketplace Grand Illumination’ event and definitely couldn’t resist the invitation. It is a bit of a drive from Old Town on a good day – four and a half hours via Routes 66 and 81 – but well worth it.

The lobby in the Main Lodge is very welcoming and the beautiful stone fireplace was still all lit up when we got there despite the late arrival. This building is also home to the resorts dining options. Harvest (a white table cloth restaurant), Stone Creek Tavern (a fun casual place to eat and get a fantastic Bloody Mary) and Mary’s Market & Café (a coffee and sandwich/snack/sweets shop). Rounding out the drinking and dining options, is the Salt Pond Pub (a heated, outdoor bar located adjacent to the lodge). Sandwiches and apps are available at the pub as well as some great brews and beverages.

Don’t forget, the iconic Dirty Dancing was filmed here 37 years ago. Known as Kellerman’s Mountain House in the classic movie, according to many visitors, it is still the ideal place “to have the time of your life”!

As we roll into the new year, we are looking forward to more new adventures.